I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
~Thomas Jefferson
Today was one of those days. Coming back home after a doctor’s appointment, a motion caught my eye while driving past a small roadside vernal pool. I slowed and saw it was a Barred Owl that had landed on a snag in the pool. I figured it might have babies in a nest nearby and was looking for a meal of crayfish or salamanders (this pool and another one nearby are breeding pools for Marbled and Spotted Salamanders). I had no camera with me so I drove the remaining few miles back home. I decided there was a chance it might hang around and hunt, so I grabbed a camera and headed back up the road. No cars were behind me, so as I approached the pool, I slowed down and looked for the owl. It was not on the prominent snag perch where I had seen it…bummer. But, then I saw it even closer to the road on a tree branch. I stopped, and stuck the camera out the window and fired off 3 shots. Another car then zoomed by in the other direction and the owl flew off. Luck was with me today.
Ironically, while waiting at the doctor’s office, I read an email from a teacher that had been on a workshop with Melissa and I years ago,. She encountered two Barred Owls yesterday on a trail and had sent us a note because she knew we would appreciate it. She even thanked us for teaching her about owls and what to look for. A double bonus day indeed.
Roads End Naturalist 
Yes Mike! That is the exact kind of owl we saw! Wow! Small world!
Indeed! Glad you saw those two, and thanks for sharing.
Love those days when luck just drops in your lap. You got a great shot too!
Thanks, Mary. You inspire me to focus more on my photos, but I still have a long way to go with the local stuff.
Beautiful owl! So glad you were able to take this picture. Just gorgeous!
Thanks, Mary.
Perfect pose and photo!!!! Lucky you to have found him still there upon returning with your camera!
Thanks, and I agree, lucky indeed!
Some days the force is with us, that was an excellent day ~
Thanks, and no complaints here!
Nice! I agree with Jefferson — you make your own luck. And with the other guy I noted (and forgot) today — never give up. Delightful incident, Mike. You paid attention and made your luck. Thanks again for sharing. (How often we all say that!))
Thanks, Rich
Wow, awesome photo!!
Thanks, Diana.
Wow, great picture of the owl! We had one in our backyard a couple nights ago. Unfortunately, all my pictures look like a light colored blob in the middle of the darkness. 😉
Yeah, this was an amazing opportunity. One hangs out occasionally at my neighbor’s place during the day, but I have never been around when it is there.